GraphicsI’ve changed the banner graphic and such. What I really want is some wonderful graphic designer to make me a super-cool banner for the top of the page. It needs to span the three columns and be (I think) 760 944 pixels wide. It needs to state My Wine Education at the top, possibly followed by a subhead of www.wine-girl.net. I would love it to have a lot of white – I love white on web sites, as it adds the illusion of space. It’s time to give this blog a more professional, sleek appearance. Graphic design folks can even choose the color scheme. I can easily adapt. I only mention this because I know I have at least two faithful readers
married to talented graphic designers. I’m good, but only at modifying
other stuff. I made the one you see right now (wine bar –> open), but I hate the font.

Advertising
We’ve switched over to a 3-column format in hopes to add advertising/sponsorships
(anyone interested?) to the site. I am going to aggressively go
after advertisers/sponsors. Does anyone know how to do that? Basically, it takes
a lot more of my time than you would imagine to run this blog, esp with
those Friday listings, and I am now searching for how to get something
back for it. Payment for time, or some such thing. I promise I’m not
being greedy. In addition, we’ve added a tip jar.
Just in case you’re feeling generous.

LinksLinks have moved as well. With the wonderful advent of Typepad Pages, I was able to take the over-flowing wine blogs links and move them to their very own page. On that page you’ll also find all the cool tools (such as Natalie McLean’s email subscription link and CellarTracker) as well as Winery Blog links, and links to Retailers, Restaurants, and Organizations. The lists were getting too long and unwieldy and I couldn’t take it. You can reach this area of the site by clicking any of the options under Links that make us happy in the left column.

Other ChangesI’m thrilled with the new Typepad Pages option. When you click various things in the left-hand column, you no longer land at blog posts. The rating scale takes you to a permanent page with an explanation. The link for the wine trails takes you to a permanent page displaying those links. I can update that page now without disturbing the RSS feed. I even added an About page. When you click "About Michelle & Kevin," you are no longer taken to the generic Typepad About page.